The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in China has begun. It is an annual winter festival which is held at the popular attraction, Ice and Snow World. Earlier, the festival mainly attracted local visitors. Over time, it has gained massive popularity among international tourists, too. Photos from the 2026 edition are now going viral on social media. And honestly, they look breathtaking. Check them out here.
China Hosts 42nd Harbin International Ice & Snow Festival
Tonight, the 42nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival officially begins! 🎆❄️ Witness a dazzling symphony of thousands of drones and fireworks lighting up the world’s largest ice wonderland. ✨
Photo credit: ©龙头新闻#HarbinIceFestival #harbiniceandsnowworld #TravelChina… pic.twitter.com/BKcob302zA— Visit Heilongjiang (@visitheilongji1) January 5, 2026
According to a report by China Daily, the banks of the Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, came alive with lights, fireworks, and excitement. The reason? The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival officially kicked off. China is hosting the 42nd edition of the festival in 2026. Reportedly, the annual event, held at Harbin Ice and Snow World, has become exceptionally popular over the years.
The festival began as a simple ice lantern show in 1985. Today, it is one of the world’s four largest ice and snow festivals, alongside Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada’s Quebec Winter Carnival, and Norway’s Oslo Holmenkollen Ski Festival. Stunning images from the festival, featuring giant ice sculptures and fireworks, quickly went viral on social media. Many users said they wished they were there. X page, Visit Heilongjiang (@visitheilongji1) also shared photos from the festival and left viewers impressed. They wrote, “The 42nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival officially begins!”
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Drones, Fireworks And Winter Adventures
The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is not just about ice sculptures. Thousands of drones and fireworks lit up the sky with dazzling displays, leaving spectators in awe. Even the pictures are impressive. Imagine seeing it all in real life! According to China Daily, the festival attracts millions of tourists from around the world. It continues till the end of February and overlaps with major holidays like the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival.
The festival is also a major contributor to China’s booming winter tourism. Over 200 ice and snow-related cultural events, sports activities, and economic and trade events are planned this year. Visitors can also enjoy 3D light shows at night. Tourists can take part in winter fishing, cross-country skiing, snow soccer, and even try the 521-metre-long ice slide.
The festival will also host five ‘super ice and snow’ events, bringing together nearly 2,000 domestic and international athletes. And honestly, we cannot wait for more details. The festival has just begun, and there is a lot more to come.
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Seeing these images makes us want to pack our bags and book a flight to China just to experience the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in person.
Cover Image Courtesy: @visitheilongji1/ X
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